Air Canada says arrive early and expect delays

Air Canada issued the following news release this morning following the attempt made by a Nigerian with links to Al-Qaeda tried to ignite an explosive device aboard a Detroit bound passenger aircraft.

Passangers and crew overpowered the man and the plane landed safely.

The man was arrested and is being treated for second- and third-degree burns to his thighs. CNN News was told this morning by one of the passengers that the explosive device was on fire in his lap.

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Air Canada advises travellers to the U.S. to arrive at airports early; expect delays, cancellations due to added security screening; and to limit carry-on baggage to one carry-on item

MONTREAL - (December 26) - Air Canada advises passengers travelling to the U.S. that due to enhanced government security measures air travellers should arrive early at airports to allow extra time to clear security screening.

Passengers should also expect flight delays, cancellations and missed connections, and limit themselves to a single piece of carry-on baggage.

Air Canada recommends passengers travelling to the U.S. to arrive early at the airport for their flight in order to allow adequate time for additional personal searches.

Under new rules enacted by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, passengers and their carry-on baggage will now be subject to full searches both at airport screening points and prior to boarding at the aircraft gate area.

As a result of the added security precautions, passengers should also expect delayed and cancelled flights as well as missed connections.

Air Canada will endeavour to transport passengers to their destination as quickly as possible and rebook passengers who miss their connections at no charge.

While these measures directly affect only flights from Canada to the United States, domestic and international flights may also experience delays due to airport congestion and delayed aircraft.

For information on a flight's status please consult www.aircanada.com.

In addition, new rules imposed by Transport Canada will limit the amount of carry-on baggage to one item per person travelling on flights from Canada to the United States.

Existing checked baggage rules remain in effect.

For details on checked baggage allowances, please click here.

"The safety of our customers and staff is our Number 1 priority at Air Canada," said Duncan Dee, executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Our operations teams will be working closely with airport and government authorities to minimize any inconvenience to our customers and to ensure that our customers reach their destinations safely and comfortably."

New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service.

Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.

More information for customers on affected flights, including options for rebooking flights online and updates on delayed baggage tracking, is available at www.aircanada.com

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